Tourist Towns

South African Jewish Museum

About

The South African Jewish Museum was officially opened by Nelson Mandela in December 2000. Situated along “Museum Mile” in central Cape Town, the museum building, designed by architect Michael Hackner, is clad in Jerusalem stone and has been described as stark and modern with 'overtones of biblical ancientness'.

The brainchild of Mendel Kaplan, the museum's founder and one of its benefactors, the project took about four years from planning to completion.

The museum hosts a number of temporary exhibitions as well as permanent displays of Judaica, including video footage of early South African Jewish settlers such as Barney Barnato and Max Rose. Its displays are hi-tech and use different media to present highlights from South African Jewish history.

A few Jews were among the earliest settlers at the Cape, which was under the control of the Dutch East India Company. In order to secure work in the company, they were forced to convert to Christianity. By 1880, there were an estimated 4 000 Jews in South Africa, mainly from England and Germany. Between the 1880s and 1930s, waves of Jewish immigrants arrived from Eastern Europe, particularly Lithuania and surrounding areas such as Latvia, Poland, Russia and Belarus. These new arrivals changed the nature of local Jewry and formed the basis of the contemporary (Ashkenazi) Jewish community of today. Later arrivals include Egypt and Rhodes Island.

Dynamic and often interactive displays reveal the Jewish community's response to the moral and political challenges that confronted them in South Africa.

One section of the museum borders the National Gallery and Company Gardens, an environment steeped in history and culture. The main section faces a paved, landscaped court that links the first synagogue built on South African soil (the Old Synagogue, built in 1863), the Great Synagogue (1905) and the Albow Centre. The latter comprises the South African Jewish Museum Shop, Jacob Gitlin Library, Café Riteve, Cape Town Holocaust Centre and Israel Abrahams Hall.

88 Hatfield Street, Gardens, Cape Town

Map

Cape Town & Surrounds

Highlights

About

Cape Town is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities in the world. With dramatic mountains, a long stretch of Atlantic coastline and a picturesque working harbour, there are few cities in the world to rival “The Fairest Cape”, as explorer Sir Francis Drake described the place in 1580.

The city of Cape Town is regularly voted as one of the best tourist destinations (and cities to live in) in the world – and its Mediterranean climate, superb natural attractions, historic landmarks, fabulous restaurants and fun places to hang out offer all the ingredients for a top holiday destination.

Table Mountain dominates the city’s landscape and Table Mountain National Park is a national treasure and World Heritage Site.

The Cape Floristic Kingdom is known for its incredible botanical heritage and the Table Mountain National Park has more floral species than the British Isles. Stopping to smell the fynbos has an altogether new meaning in this part of the world.

Robben Island is another World Heritage Site worth visiting. Struggle heroes such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada and many others were incarcerated here during apartheid and taking the Robben Island Tour is a must on any trip to Cape Town.

The city is loosely divided by Table Mountain into four sections: Cape Town Central, Cape Town South, Cape Town North and Cape Town East.

Cape Town Central incorporates the city centre, the V&A Waterfront, Green Point, Mouille Point, Sea Point, Camps Bay and Hout Bay. There are loads of things on offer in this part of the world, so it’s a good idea to focus on the field of interest/activities that excite you and take it from there.

A trip to the top of Table Mountain is an absolute must (especially if you’ve never done it before). The views on a clear day will give you a clear perspective of the gorgeous city below and you can see as far as Robben Island and beyond.

If history is your thing, there are numerous museums and attractions close to the city centre. The Castle of Good Hope was built between 1666 and 1679 and is the oldest building in South Africa. It is a good place to start your tour of the city, which incorporates historic attractions such as the Bo-Kaap Museum, the District Six Museum, The Company’s Garden, City Hall and the Grand Parade, among many other notable historic attractions.

For shopping and entertainment, the V&A Waterfront is the epicentre of Cape Town and attracts high numbers of international tourists daily. Long Street is a good place to hang out for restaurants, bars and nightlife and Camps Bay is the place to see and be seen around cocktail hour.

The drive along Chapman’s Peak is one of the most scenic drives in the world but you need to do your homework as the route is periodically closed. Mariner’s Wharf in Hout Bay is another great place to visit, with its fun restaurants, great beaches and perfect views.

Cape Town South stretches from Noordhoek to Observatory and incorporates some of Cape Town’s most popular suburbs, including Constantia, Fish Hoek, Rondebosch, Simon’s Town and Muizenberg, to mention just a few.

Constantia is popular for its wonderful restaurants and wine estates and the Constantia Wine Route is a big attraction for foodies and wine-lovers. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens offers hectares of greenery and regular concerts in the warm summer months. There are also various hiking trails on offer.

Take a day trip to Simon’s Town and make sure you visit the statue of Just Nuisance, as well as the scenic Boulders Beach. Noordhoek is a great place for riding horses on the beach and the restaurants are very family friendly. For fresh fish and laid-back vibes, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg are the business. Fish Hoek is popular for seaside activities and antique shops and is a real favourite.

Cape Town North incorporates the Cape Town International Airport, Parow, Milnerton, Durbanville, Table View, as well as Bloubergstrand and Melkbosstrand. The north is a developed business centre that continues to grow rapidly. For chill-out time, Bloubergstrand and Melkbosstrand are popular for walks on the beach and outdoor sports. Shoppers will enjoy Century City and Canal Walk, and for those who love a tipple or two, The Durbanville Wine Route also falls into the northern region.

Cape Town East is made up of Gordon’s Bay, Somerset West, Strand, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Eersterivier, Macassar and Strandfontein. The region is pretty spectacular as the small coastal towns sit below the imposing Hottentots Holland Mountains and there are fantastic beaches such as Bikini Beach, Strand Beach and Kogel Bay. Here you’ll also find the Helderberg Nature Reserve, Wolfgat Nature Reserve and Edith Stephens Wetland Park.

American-born Carol Beckwith and Australian Angela Fisher met over 40 years ago, beginning a photographic partnership that has seen them journey over 300 000 miles on the African continent – through 48 countries and recording 150...

Halaal Cape Town, A Visitor’s Guide

All roads lead to Table Mountain. At least that’s how most Capetonians feel. Once you have roots here you will never leave. And that’s how it must have felt for the early Muslims that came here from Malaysia and India and made it their home. There are few places in the western world that are more Muslim friendly than Cape Town. In fact, South Africa ranks no.4 in Crescentrating’s list of non OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) countries.

The Muslim community forms an integral part of South Africa’s cultural diversity. It has...

Travel like a local in Langa

We are always on the lookout for authentic experiences. The word ‘authentic’ obviously means different things to different people, but generally I like to think if you are sincerely welcomed into a community and their homes, invited to eat their food and immerse yourself in their culture, then you are dealing with genuine authenticity.

Globally, more and more people are looking for authentic travel experiences, which allow them to see the city like a local would, by seeking...

Museums in Cape Town CBD

Cape Town is a cultural hub and where the history of the country really began, so you can bet we have plenty of both to offer visitors. The Mother City’s history is rich – and at times tragic – and is has a number of world class museums that offer up a treasure trove to the past – both the good and the bad. A number of these museums are located in the city centre – all within walking distance of each other – and together offer a view as diverse and entertaining as the city...

Langa through expensive lenses: touring the township

Impressions gained through township tourism might contribute to a foundation for more real and significant empathy and respect between South Africans.

The smell of fermentation hangs heavy in the muggy half dark. Flies buzz about, pausing on a knee or toe, only to be swished away by a pale hand. On our arrival, four Xhosa men quickly make room for us. They...

The Fugard Theatre

As I sit in the balcony seats waiting for the show to start, I look around me an am surprised at the array of people attending this production of 'The Rocky Horror Show'. From the moment I walked into the door of the Fugard Theatre, I was entertained by salesman and hosts who were dressed up in accordance to the theme of the musical and because the theatre is an intimate space, I am holding a box of goodies in my hands that will allow me to interact with what is happening on stage. I get ready to throw the confetti and suddenly...

The Best Apps for Exploring Cape Town

Get connected with Cape Town when you pick up these 5 free apps and begin your adventure that much more adeptly:

1. EVERYTRAIL

Using GPS, EveryTrail creates an easy-to-read map as you explore, providing street names, a compass, audio guides and useful Points of Information. Over 400,000 people have tracked their adventures on EveryTrail, so using these guides...

9 Ways Thando Can Make Your Life Easier

So you've come to Cape Town to explore, not only the icons but the little discoveries, the sights and sounds and smells and surprises - and what better way than through the eyes of a local? Especially one who gives you free stuff!

Cape Town Takes Stock At Indaba: Sustaining The New Tourism

Cape Town Tourism has returned from a successful Indaba 2014, which saw the Western Cape’s Gold Award-winning stand showcasing various facets from across the region, in partnership with Wesgro.

Enver Duminy, Cape Town Tourism CEO, was among the panellists at the Tourism Cities at Indaba Conference - attended by tourism businesses, authorities and academics. Consistent with South African Tourism’s theme for Indaba 2014, “Twenty Years of Freedom”, the event examined the explosive growth in tourism over the past two decades.

Cape Town Travel Cards

It’s the number one tip we’ve all heard when travelling: don’t carry all your cash on you, use traveller’s cheques or get a card.

In gorgeous Cape Town, the same advice holds true for our visitors from around the world and this is why we went in search of all of the travel, transport and cash cards you’ll need to enjoy your next visit to our sunny, fun-loving shores:

Net Worth

Human/wildlife conflict is a global problem, with people increasingly competing with animals for space and resources, both in the terrestrial and the marine environment. Cape Town is no exception to this, a buzzing metropolis with a population of 3.74 million people, bordering a national park and surrounded by a marine protected area. In False Bay, negative interactions between great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and people, while extremely rare, have resulted in the necessity for local government to find ways to balance the...

Surviving cape Town Weather

Cape Town has notoriously capricious weather so we’ve compiled your ultimate guide to surviving the weather:

Summer:

Cape Town’s mecca season, summer is exquisitely hot and dry, with sparkling conditions starting in November and lasting until February. Alongside the gorgeous African sun a blustery wind from the South-East, the famous 'Cape Doctor', is also a frequent visitor.

Top 3 Places to Watch the Rugby in Cape Town

Watching the rugby with a passion bordering on religious fervour (the ref naturally being Satan-spawn should he call against your team) is a beloved ritual for many a Capetonian. Many a visitor has reached the shores of Cape Town to be told they haven’t experienced South African culture until they’ve watched a game. Here are the best pubs to go to:

Cool Jobs In Cape Town

If you could choose any job in the world, what would you choose? I’d choose to be a surfing instructor in Cape Town. Every single day would consist of paddling out to the deep blue, watching the sun rise across the horizon and waiting patiently to catch the perfect wave. There’d always be sand between my toes and my hair would be sun streaked, naturally. Of course I’d have to know how to surf first in order to bag this job. But one can dream.

My Top Creative Spots in Cape Town

Being a writer in the creative Mother City, I’m constantly hunting for places, attractions and events that inspire me and this February, Cape Town will be abuzz with artistic energy, thanks to Design Indaba and our designation as World Design Capital.

When I’ve seen all I can see at these artistic events, I head out to these inspirational spots:

Café Mozart

A stone’s throw away from the much loved antique market of Church Street, Café Mozart lets the...

Valentine’s Day Events 2014

With just days to go before Cupid’s special day on February 14, 2014, romantic events are popping up all around #lovecapetown.

Whether you are serenading your beloved with a musical and dinner in Sea Point, romancing them on top of a wonder of nature or treating them to a luxurious treatment at one of the city’s award-winning spas, there is plenty to do in the Mother City to show the love of your life how much they mean to you:

Movies Beneath the Stars

I’m a movie buff with a passion for Cape Town and the outdoors like no other… so when I recently received an invitation to the launch of the V&A Waterfront’s new Galileo Open Air Cinema, there was no way I was going to turn it down.

In typical V&A Waterfront fashion, nothing they do is ever expected and so the Mother City’s premier shopping destination has converted its Croquet Lawn, above the new Springbok Museum into...

Hout Bay Market

Hout Bay is a pretty tranquil and quiet town, but on the weekends it comes to life at one of the best markets in the Western Cape. From chocolate covered strawberries, to sushi, to house decor, to clothing, this market literally has it all. There is something for those with fat wallets and something for the struggling students and everyone can enjoy the live music and entertainment it offers. The market runs every Friday night and Saturday morning and is situated near the harbour.

My advice? Go with a group of friends, take some cash and be prepared to not want to leave.

Lifeguard Towers

I believe conquering little ambitions adds such flavour in life and sitting in a lifeguard tower gazing over the ocean has been one of mine. I don’t know what it is but perhaps the beach lifeguard dwellings remind me of tree houses and forts I used to build as a child.

Lifeguard houses have been important entities on beaches all over the world providing lifeguards a sanctuary to be seated and to be lifted high above the ocean to scout for any potential dangers or rescue requirements. To the swimmers of the salty H2O, lifeguard houses have been the beacons or markers to help locate...

White Zulu

Fiona was lucky enough to catch Johnny Clegg during his recent unplugged performances in Cape Town, and it sounds like she had a blast!

The White Zulu rocks Cape Town

‘He looks middle-aged’ said my husband as Johnny Clegg took his seat centre stage at the Baxter Theatre last night. We hadn’t seen the White Zulu play live for a while and he certainly looked older, but, as he revealed colourful snippets of his life, it became apparent that he was pushing sixty! In his trademark scruffy T-shirt and pants, set off by white – why white I ask you? – trainers,...